[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 8, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2354) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to Title V of the 
Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
  Two months ago, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited New York 
to announce that $450 million rejected by the State of Florida would be 
used for Amtrak high-speed railway improvements in the State of New 
Jersey. To paraphrase a long time champion of Amtrak, who currently 
serves as our nation's Vice President, this was definitely a big deal.
  This needed funding is going to increase the speed and efficiency of 
Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (NEC) in New Jersey. Specifically, funding 
has been designated to improve the railroad's infrastructure between 
New Brunswick and Trenton, allowing for train speeds to be increased 
from 130 miles per hour, to 160 miles per hour, through improvements to 
NEC power system, signals, track, and catenaries. As anyone who has 
ridden on an Acela train during a hot day, or sat on a stagnant train 
during all too frequent power issues, knows that infrastructure 
improvements are very necessary for this busy stretch of railroad.
  Residents throughout the northeast, including thousands of New Jersey 
commuters riding New Jersey Transit, will be able to have a more 
efficient ride with most with a stronger, faster, and more consistent 
Northeast Corridor.
  New Jersey contractors, along with construction and rail laborers, 
are looking forward to getting to work on this needed project. I know 
that the people of New Jersey thought that this announcement was a done 
deal.
  That is why I joined their surprise when I learned the Appropriations 
Committee had decided to divert New Jersey's needed resources and 
redirect this funding for disaster relief for Mississippi and Missouri 
River flood events.
  I strongly support providing emergency disaster relief. I have great 
respect for my neighbor to the west, the Chairman of the Energy and 
Water Subcommittee. His intentions to help Americans who have been 
flooded out of homes and businesses are certainly laudable. We are both 
extremely sympathetic to flood relief as our adjoining districts have 
significant flooding problems that require federal assistance to 
resolve.
  But it is short sighted to take away funding for high-speed rail for 
this purpose. As China zooms past us at 250 miles per hour, our nation 
putters along with a transportation system that cannot keep up with 
growing population and demand. Coming off of another month with anemic 
job growth, we simply cannot afford to pull funding that would create 
good paying planning and construction jobs thatNew Jersey sorely needs.
  I urge the Committee to find a new offset for this emergency funding. 
And at the same time, I urge the Department of Transportation to 
obligate their rail funds quickly, so that we can get past this charade 
and get this important high speed rail funding out to bid.